Acting: Getting Started!!!

About Brinley --- My Complete CV
Current Projects --- About Acting

Now just to let you know: this is coming from a gal who is also still getting started, but you could say I have very recent and first hand knowledge of all this!!

One of the biggest questions is “How do I find auditions without an agent, and how do I get an agent without having had any acting experience?”

Well . . . There are many film students and theatre companies that are regularly auditioning!! They are usually unpaid roles. But when you are starting out they are the best way to get experience, act many different and fun roles, and build friendships with other budding young film and theatre makers. I have included a list of websites that regularly post auditions of this sort. Films are great ways to get footage of yourself to build a showreel; and theatre is great as you can invite agents along to see you perform!

Word of warning: Never do anything that you don’t want to do or that doesn’t feel right!! You DO NOT have to do every single short film that comes your way because it will give you “experience”. If someone wants you to act a certain role or do something in a film that doesn’t agree with you – don’t accept the role. You’re not being paid millions yet! And it is will not hurt your career to turn it down. Some directors just want weird stuff (or really dull stuff), let someone who enjoys that, do it. You may feel really uncomfortable around certain people. Never compromise yourself because you want to gain “as much experience as possible” – you have to be happy and enjoy yourself!!!

Here are some great AUDITION websites:

www.quietonset.com.au
- This website by Lee Donahue not only posts auditions, film festivals and acting and film courses, it has tutorials and advice about the acting industry from successful actors and she holds events where many successful actors, directors and casting agents give advice on acting.

www.metroscreen.org
- This is a film school in Paddington that regularly need actors for their film projects. Sign up to their newsletter to find out about upcoming auditions. I have always had a great time working with these guys!!!

www.sydneyactor.com
- You can post you profile here and receive auditions from Film makers on the look out! This is also linked to a Yahoo group which will send out audition notices as well!!

Auditions Australia – Yahoo Group
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/AuditionsAustralia/
- These guys send out audition notices all the time!! They are fantastic!!

And here is a list of local THEATRE companies:

New Theatre – www.newtheatre.org.au
Factory Space Theatre – www.factoryspace.org
Newtown Theatre – www.newtowntheatre.com.au
– If you are interested in auditioning for short and sweet. Check out this website!
The Peninsula Theatre – www.peninsulatheatre.com.au

There are many more! Go to Theatre Australia – http://theatre.asn.au for a very complete list.

Now all that should give you a good kick start . . .

Enjoy the journey!!!

Brinley :-)

About Brinley --- My Complete CV --- Current Projects --- About Acting